In my years of teaching Spanish I had plenty of beginner students learning the language for the first time. And based on my experience, I can tell you that learning Spanish is not difficult, you only need the right resources and dedicate some time during your week to more focused learning and practice.
Let’s explore some of the challenges you may face learning Spanish and how to overcome them:
It can be challenging to practice your speaking and listening skills when learning online, especially if you’re not practicing with a native speaker. The solution? Book online lessons at least once a week, or join language exchange meet ups.
Learning a language requires a lot of time and effort, and it can be hard to stay motivated, especially if you’re not attending in-person classes. The lack of structure can make it easy to procrastinate or give up. Set a time for your learning, it can be a few hours per week so you can practise the language.
There are numerous online resources available to learn Spanish, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of resources, making it hard to know where to start. In this article I share how to start learning Spanish!
Tips and Tricks for Learning Spanish Online:
✅ Set achievable goals
Set goals for what you want to achieve in your Spanish learning journey. Break them down into smaller, more achievable goals and track your progress. Celebrate your milestones to stay motivated.
✅ Use resources that best work for you
Don’t rely on just one resource for learning Spanish online. Use a combination of resources like online courses, apps, podcasts, and YouTube videos. This can help you stay engaged and avoid getting bored.
✅ Practice speaking and listening
Make sure to practice your speaking and listening skills. Find a conversation partner online or join a language exchange program. This can help you gain confidence and improve your fluency.
✅ Join online communities
Join online communities or forums where you can practice your writing skills and get feedback from other learners or native speakers. This can be a great way to stay motivated and learn from others.
How long does it take to learn Spanish?
This is a common question that I’ve got many times from new students.It’s possible to learn basic Spanish words and phrases in a month! It can help a lot if you take lessons regularly and you have the chance to immerse yourself in the culture.
The time it takes to learn Spanish depends on factors like your native language, previous language-learning experience, time commitment, learning methods, and personal motivation. For example, having experience with another language can accelerate the learning process, as you’re already familiar with language structures.
From my experience as a teacher, I usually recommend my students to set goals for the first three months and follow a plan that suits their needs and life. Take into account, this is suitable for people that do not live in a Spanish-speaking country and do not have any contact with the language in their daily life.
| Basic Conversational Skills: between 3-6 Months |
| For basic conversational skills and simple interactions, such as introducing yourself, asking for directions, and ordering food, you can expect to achieve this level within 3 to 6 months of consistent practice. As a beginner student, fluency in 3 months is unlikely, but you can gain basic conversational skills and build a foundation for further learning. |
| Intermediate Level: 6-12 Months |
| At the intermediate level, you’ll be able to engage in more complex conversations, express opinions, and understand everyday Spanish spoken at a moderate pace. This level typically takes around 6 to 12 months to reach. |
| Advanced Proficiency: 1-2 Years |
| Reaching an advanced proficiency level involves understanding and discussing more complex topics, reading newspapers and literature, and watching Spanish TV shows without subtitles. This stage may take 1 to 2 years of focused learning. |
| Achieving Fluency: 2-5 Years |
| Fluency involves a deep understanding of the language, including cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions. Achieving fluency may take anywhere from 2 to 5 years or more, depending on the factors mentioned earlier. Language learning is an ongoing process. Even after achieving fluency, you’ll continue to refine your skills, expand your vocabulary, and immerse yourself in the language to maintain proficiency. |
A study plan may look like this:
Lessons: For faster progress take one-hour lessons twice a week (minimum). Choose a teacher that makes you practice the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and provides you feedback to improve.
Practice: It is crucial for steady progress to practice Spanish during your week, do not rely solely on the lessons. Do some extra practice like listening, or online exercises if you can.
Ask your teacher to give you some homework to revise the vocabulary or grammar you have just learned in the class or recommend some resources that are tailored to your level.
Goals and consistency: This is key to learn not only Spanish but any language. Set goals for what you would like to achieve in Spanish, whether speaking on your next trip or getting to an intermediate level.
Try to be consistent, this will help you to stay focused and motivated and see progress!
Is it hard to learn Spanish for English speakers?
For English speakers, Spanish is often considered one of the more accessible languages to learn. Here’s why learning Spanish can be relatively easier for English speakers:
Spanish and English share many cognates, which are words that look and mean the same or similar in both languages due to their shared Latin origin. For example, “restaurant” in English is “restaurante” in Spanish. This similarity accelerates vocabulary acquisition.
Spanish pronunciation tends to be straightforward, with consistent rules for each letter’s sound. Unlike English, where spelling and pronunciation can be unpredictable, Spanish has a phonetic spelling system that makes it easier to read and speak.
Spanish grammar has a logical structure that’s often more consistent than English. For instance, the gender of nouns is usually indicated by their endings, and adjective-noun agreement is more predictable.
And even though some learners may find certain grammar concepts, like subjunctive mood, a bit challenging, with practice, these can be mastered.
Learning Spanish can make it easier to learn other Romance languages like French, Italian, or Portuguese due to shared vocabulary and grammar features.
👉 If this is your first time learning Spanish, here I share how to learn Spanish online!
